Edit: This is the least expensive L-series medium-to-long-range telephoto that Canon makes. If you would like to get a taste of the L series at a (relatively) low price, this is the ticket. If you don't mind spending more than you would on the 55-250mm or 70-300 IS USM, you probably will get better-quality photos by shooting at 200mm and cropping than at 250mm or 300 on either of those.

Edit: No IS as noted in subsequent post. If you have a pretty steady hand and are shooting outdoors at high shutter speed, though, I wouldn't think this would be a big problem. Obviously a tripod will always make stead picture-taking easier.

- There is no IS (image stabilization) on this lens. You need a steady hand or a tripod to get good use of this. Great for some, virtually useless for others.- Quality is definitely better than your typical zooms that Canon runs rebates on all the time (70-200, 250, 300)- Yes, if the lens suits your use, it's still worth getting for a lower-end (Txi) series body- The IS version will run you about twice the price and the faster, f/2.8 IS, about 2.5-3x the price.

This lens is so good that you will end up getting more 'L' lenses.Ha! Nice avatar... I dropped over $300 on a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 recently -- I don't dare spend anymore and incur spousal wrath!

king0fSpades

Senior Member - 4K

posted: Dec. 17, 2012 @ 3:55p

Hoogineer said: king0fSpades said: There is a serious problem with this lens. Beware.

This lens is so good that you will end up getting more 'L' lenses.Ha! Nice avatar... I dropped over $300 on a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 recently -- I don't dare spend anymore and incur spousal wrath!

That is the beauty of this hobby. Spouse can't tell the difference between my old 50mm f/1.4 and new 85mm F/1.2L II

wahoo2x

Member

posted: Dec. 17, 2012 @ 4:03p

king0fSpades said: There is a serious problem with this lens. Beware.

This lens is so good that you will end up getting more 'L' lenses.

Green and QFT. This is the lens that gave me "L fever" when I hooked it up to my 20D, to replace my first generation 70-300 IS. Now, five years, a 5dII, and the 20-35 f2.8L, 24-105 4L IS, 135 F2L, 70-200 2.8L IS, and 70-300L IS later (along with a 100-400L IS I bought and sold), I've found tolerable glass to cover most shooting situations (as well as inner peace).

I also could be driving a different car for all the $$$$ I have locked up in L glass.

Edit: If you don't want to spend for an L, you can still pick up the EF 70-300mm IS USM f/4-5.6 refurb from the Canon store for less than half. It's really up to you whether the improved IQ, ring USM (vice [fake] micro USM of the 70-300mm), and full-time manual of the 70-200mm f/4L USM warrant spending more.

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